The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-10-01
VOLUME XXI.

and is fine, handsome animal about
twenty feet in length, with most re-
markable top or dorsal fin that, often
attaining the length of six feet gener-
orally stands perfectly erect, though
sometimes the extreme end or tip falls
gracefully over. When a school is
swimming along the surface with only
these fins exposed, the sight is Curl
Gus one, and it would be difficult for
any one not familiar with the animal
to form conjecture as TO the creature
they belong to. The word killer aptly
describes this orca, as its entire life
seems to be one of attack and destruc-
lion. Insatiate destroyers, they are
constantly on the alert, now rushing
along in deep water after finny prey,
and now passing on to shallow bays,
and driving all the occupants upon the
shores, not only Strengthening all they
wish to eat, but killing scores for the
very qualification of the impulse.
The salmon of the western rivers are
depleted by them, and in default of
other game they form schools, attack
the largest whalebone whales, and in a
short time destroy the huge animals.
Their method Of procedure is to attack
the great lips of the whale. and with
their powerful teeth tear out immense
pieces of flesh. They even dart into
the mouth of the monster, and tear out
its tongue, showing the most barbarous
cruelty in their charge. The whale in
many cases, when thus attacked, lies
still upon the surface, completely para
lyzcd with fear.
SO powerful and fearless are these
creatures that four of them are capa-
bile of killing q whale of the largest
size. They are the enemy of the sealer,
as during the breeding season of the
seals, impellcd by some extraordinary
instinct, they visit the shores of West
crn North America and gorge them
selves with young seals. The largest
and most powerful of the walruses re-
treat before them, being at a disadvant-
age before the lightning-like darts and
bounds of this tiger of the sea. When
orcas appear under herd of walruses,
in the ice off shore, there is general
scramble of the cubs for their mother 8
back. where they perhaps think they
are safe. But the willy orcas, if the ice
is not too thick, are often too powerful
for them. They rush upward, striking
the ice violently. and breaking through
directly under the herd; in the confr-
sion, the c,sbs lose their hold, and drop
into the water. and are snatched up by
the blood thirsty killers that dart fear
lessly about among the huge animals
and broken ice.
The best locality to observe the orca
at work is among the bays and along
the shores of Alaska and British Co
lumbia. Here they lie in wait for the
dolphins and seal that congregate at
the mouth of streams to feed on sal
mon. The dolphins, their cousins, are
literally swallowed alive, and observ-
ers have seen the orcas lift their heads
high out of the water, the more readily
to crush the bones of the struggling
seal that was held between their sharp
teeth.
In colder waters they prey upon the
white whale, that is somewhat slug
gish in its movements, at least, when
compared to its murderous cousin. The
Indians on this coast in turn follow the
orca, for they consider the meat a
great delicacy.
In the Atlantic is found another orca,
orca gladiator, that is equally ferocious
and whalers have seen huge Green
land whale leap from the water with 9
dozen of these killers clinging to it or
every side, while others sprang into
the air, bounding over the victim, as il
exulting in its agony.
They are often beautifully marked
Especially attractive is orca rectipinma
That is jet-black upon its upper sur
face, and light below. while directly
behind the eyes is pure white oblone
spot, and behind the tail dorsal a ores
cent-shaped maroon band more thar
half encircling the back.
All the killers have massive jaws
armed with large, stout, conical teeth
well adapted to the work they have t.
accomplish. &C. r. Holder. IN Youth
Companion.